Nigeria U17 Coaches Cry Foul Over Invitation Of Two League Players, Zenith Bank Boys By NFF

Published: August 25, 2019

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been informed that the Golden Eaglets coaches led by Manu Garba are at daggers drawn with officials of the Nigeria Football Federation over the invitation of two league players to the ongoing Nigeria U17 training camp in Abuja.

It is understood that an official of the Nigerian Federation from the Yoruba-speaking part of the country has instructed Manu Garba to include Sunshine Stars winger Adejubu Ayobami and Akure City FC midfielder Awosanmi Promise in the team.

The Golden Eaglets coaches have argued that both players are above the age limit even though they claim to be born in 2004.

There is an unwritten rule that no player representing a league side should be in the Golden Eaglets squad and that was the reason why Nasarawa United striker Ibrahim Sanusi was decamped last week.

Manu Garba and his assistants are wary of the country being banned by FIFA for fielding overage players and have vowed not to take Ayobami and Awosanmi to Brazil.

The other bone of contention is the invitation of the so-called 'Zenith Bank Boys' to the Golden Eaglets squad.

The Nigeria Football Federation want to please their sponsors and are forcing the coaches to include the players in the team but coach Garba has argued that they are not experienced enough for the tournament.

Four months after the conclusion of the U17 AFCON, the coaches have not been paid their bonuses and camp allowances and they are demoralized and frustrated.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel